Science and Innovation Strategy for British Forestry

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Overview

The Forestry Commission is inviting contributions from interested parties on a draft review of the Science and Innovation Strategy for British Forestry (SIS).

The Strategy provides the context and framework for the research undertaken by the Forestry Commission to meet the needs of British forestry. It sets the objectives for future research commissioning programmes, including those commissioned from the Forest Research agency, and provides indicators to measure their success.

Evidence delivered through the strategy underpins policy development and operational practice. This is especially important to address the current challenges posed by pests and diseases. However, the research also provides the foundation for the sustainable forest management which is practiced in the UK, as set out in the UK Forestry Standard.

Why We Are Consulting

Forestry research supports a wide range of sectors including forestry, environmental and agricultural, as well as addressing the needs of urban society. Stakeholders rightly expect strong engagement from us, and we welcome this because ultimately it has benefits for the effectiveness of the strategy.

This consultation draft is already the result of extensive stakeholder engagement in England, Scotland and Wales, and discussion with colleagues in the Northern Ireland Forest Service. This process over the past 18 months has allowed a wide range of stakeholders to provide comment. Feedback has provided a clear indication of the research needs for forestry across GB that has, where possible, been incorporated into this draft that is now open for full consultation.